Who is this 'Super Woman' of Proverbs 31?

Most who know me, know that I am one busy lady.
Between...
running a household
rushing to work
leading and coaching others
planning meals and shopping
volunteering my time
mentoring
all the while raising four kids and trying to charm my loving husband.
I wish I can tell you that I have it together. I don't. And if I tell you I do have it together, I just lied to you. 

In the Bible, it talks about the wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon. He had left us a legacy of written wisdom in three different books of the Bible - Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. These three books gives us insight and guidelines of life. Turning to the book of Proverbs, it begins with a command to fear the Lord (1:7) and ends with this beautiful portrait of a woman who fulfills this command.

"the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline"

This 'Super Woman's' qualities are mentioned throughout the whole book of Proverbs...

works hard

has respect for her spouse

encourages others

cares for others

has a concern for the poor

shows wisdom in handling money

all the while she fears the Lord

These qualities lead to enjoyment, success, honor, and worth.

"an excellent wife is a rare find (vs.10)...can be trusted in every way (vs11-12)...is concerned for others (vs20)...is strong and stable (vs.25)...a woman who fears the Lord (vs.30)"

I feel that there are three important factors to learn from these verses that every woman needs to practice in her own life.

Wisdom 

Timeless wisdom comes from God, not just reading a book, or getting a degree. Knowledge is a good thing to have, but there is a big difference between "knowledge", having the facts and "wisdom", applying those facts to life. We might have all the knowledge of the world, but without wisdom our knowledge means nothing.
Looking back at Proverbs 1:7, 'the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge, but fools despise wisdom'...there is that word again, WISDOM. God wants us to be wise. There are two types of people, two different paths. The fool, who is stubborn and ignores God. The wise, who seeks to know and love God. When we choose God's way of doing things, he gives us the wisdom we need. His word helps us to live right, have the right relationships, and make the right decisions.

Priorities

We all have heard the phrase 'Too much to do, in so little time.' I am guilty for saying this just as much as the next mom. On those days I know I have committed to too much, I did not make wise choices, or I just plain out do not say 'NO'. Easier said then done, right. 

Proverbs 31 can be a fundamental part of becoming an effective woman. It is clear in the Bible what a married woman's life and ministry are to be: centered in her home. Centered, I did not say only. This 'Super Woman' of Proverbs 31, only 'brings her husband good' (vs. 12), 'provides food for her family' (vs. 15), 'she works vigorously' (vs. 17), 'she opens her arms to the poor' (vs. 20), 'she watches over the affairs of her household' (vs. 27), and most of all she is a 'woman who fears the Lord' (vs. 30). There are three major priorities that are within these verses: fear the Lord, be a helper to your Husband, and be a world-changer. Once these are in place everything else will fall in place.

Family

A strong marriage is built upon God's principles of love, respect, and teamwork. If the marriage is not strong, how can the family be strong. 

Turning to the book of Ephesians, Paul enlightens us with some relationship tips dealing with family life. In chapter 5, goes into how wives are to respect their husbands and husbands are to love their wives as Christ loves the Church (vs. 33). Oneness between the two. It means caring for your spouse as you care for yourself, learning to anticipate her or his needs, to help each other become all that he or she can be. This was God's plan in the beginning (Gen 2:24) and Jesus also had referred to this as well (Matt 19:4-6). 

This 'Super Woman' of Proverbs 31 has outstanding abilities. But her strength and poise do not come from her amazing achievements in life. It was a result of her reverence for God. I want to be a better wife and mother, a better woman overall. But my greatest desire is have a closer relationship with God, as his daughter.

Little Bitty

Hot Apple Pie

So yesterday was Christmas and I was one sick Mommy. I was so sick that I had spent most of the day in bed; I felt so bad for the kids. I had planned on waking up before the kids and make these cute little apple pies for breakfast. Feeling almost 100% better this morning, I made them today. One of the easiest recipes I have found on Pinterest. Have a mentioned how much I <3 Pinterest!

One Can of Apple Pie Filling
Two Packages of Pilsbury Crescent Rolls
Cinnamon and Sugar

One Scoop of Apple Pie Filling in a Crescent Roll, roll it up then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar and bake according to the package.

Little Bitty's Book Shelf: Am I Messing up My Kids?

Who are these kids that 

are calling me Mom?

Being a mom is tough. Between working outside of the home, keeping track of all the kids sports/clubs schedule, homework, dinner, housework, all while keeping my sanity. Having a balance life helps.

Every Thursday night, I have the pleasure of meeting with a handful of moms from church. We enjoy our time of eating dinner, fellowship, and discussion on the book we are reading, most of the time it is just fellowship. I take advantage of this time to connect with other moms, to vent, to seek advice and to encourage one another.

I am thankful for...

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:2

Throughout the month of November Facebook users will post 30 days of thankfulness. Each day of November, they will post something that they are thankful for on each day. Why do most wait until November to count their blessings? We receive blessing every day. They might be the little things like, your 14 year old daughter giving you hug and says "I Love You, Mommy". They might even be unexpected, getting help with an utility bill you were not sure if you are going to be able to pay. In one way or another, they are blessings.

I guess my challenge to you and to myself, would be to carry on after the month of November. I don't mean just with posting something on Facebook, but through your actions, words, and thoughts.

30 Days of Thankfulness...I am thankful for
1. My Facebook Friends and Family (who reminded me that today is Nov 1st)
2. Jesus Christ, who died for my sins because I have too many to count
3. My God, who answers my prayers and provides my needs
4. My husband, who stands by my side with my decisions I make regardless how dumb they are
5. Victoria, who will step up when she sees a need
6. Billy, who has a big heart
7. Kristina, who brings excitement in my life, not a dual moment with this child
8. Sammy, who still loves to cuddle in my bed with me
9. My Parents, who raised me, I would not be the person I am today if I did not have both of them in my life (Kris you are part of this too, you have helped me grow during my adult life)
10. My Grandmother, who never stops praying for me
11. My sister, who I might not talk to everyday, but I know she is always there for me
12. My two Favorite Aunts, Pam and Barbara, who encourage me
13. My cousin Samantha, who has helped inspired my creative bone in my body
14. My Church Family, who I love, all of you
15. The Holy Bible, the word of God, my road map, my manual for life
16. My Two Walking Buddies, Brandy and Beth, we might not walk all the time, but we always pick back up where we left off
17. My Moms' Group, I look forward to Thursday Night meetings, encouraging one another, laughing (with and at each other), just a night with other moms
18. My Community Groups, reaching people by showing God's Love
19. My Freedom, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms
20. (With that freedom, there is a cost) The men and women that (have) serve(d) our country, without them there is no freedom
21. Roof over my head, a warm bed to sleep in, hot shower, and a hearty breakfast to start my day
22. New Hope Fusion Service, where I can worship my God with other Christians
23. My truck, to get me back and forth to where I need to go
24. My Job, with so many out work, I am thankful I have a job to go to everyday
25. My Health, I might not be a size 5, or run a marathon, but I am healthy
26. The time I have with my family, because the kids won't always live at home
27. The stress in my life, it pushes me (the good stress)
28. The little things in my everyday life, watching the sun come up while drinking my coffee, making dinner for my family, helping my kids with homework
29. Pinterest, where I can feed my creative mind
30. And You, reading my post, and pray that I have encouraged you this month to count your blessings everyday

And the journey begins...

It is better late than never. After some soul searching and some outside influence, I have put together a 40 before 40 list; 40 things I want to do before my 40th birthday. I feel that things on this list will help me be a better person, body, mind, and soul. I have broken done into five different categories: learning, giving back, fitness, travel and just for me.

Learning

1. read the Bible all the way through
2. read 100 books
3. graduate from college (Associates degree August 2010)
4. learn to play the piano
5. re-learn to play the saxophone
6. take a dance class
7. take a flying lesson
8. take an art or creative writing or photography class

Giving Back

1. go on a mission trip within the US (completed June 6th-8th, 2013, Camp LRCA Crown Point, In.)
2. go on a mission trip outside of US
3. lead a bible study group (Moms Group, 10-17-13)
4. volunteer on a major holiday
5. volunteer on my birthday
6. donate to locks of love (completed on 3-15-13, 15 inches, sent to Pantee instead)
7. coach a youth sport (that my kids are not on) (RHJPCheer, Red Squad, July - Oct 2013)
8. mentor a student (my students in Driven, Fall 2013)

Fitness

1. loose 60 pounds
2. get in the best shape of my life
3. run a 5k (completed on 4-26-13, with Sammy and Cassie, 44:09)
4. run a 10 min mile
5. complete a woman triathlete
6. influence my husband to become healthier
7. go to a water park and not feel self conscious
8. look good in a little black dress

Travel

1. go camping in a national/state park
2. take family to Hoilday World
3. visit a winery
4. visit Mt Rushmore
5. visit Yosemite
6. re-visit the Grand Canyon
7. see a Broadway show
8. stay at a Bed n Breakfast

Just for ME

1. get a manicure/pedicure (Manicure 4-3-14)
2. go out to the middle of nowhere and watch a metro shower (completed 08-11-12 watched with my Son)
3. kiss on the big screen at a game
4. kiss in the rain
5. purchase a home
6. pay off credit cards/past bills
7. get a job I love (completed 11-14-12, the new Lead Expert over Div 8 @ JCP)
8. write a letter to myself and open it on my 40th birthday (completed letter on 10-17-12)

Little Bitty